rome and the roots of western civilization chapter 6 unit 5 notes chapter 6 unit 5 notes

Rome and the Roots of Western CivilizationRome and the Roots of Western Civilization

Chapter 6 Unit 5Notes

Chapter 6 Unit 5Notes

Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization

Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization

Main Idea: POWER AND AUTHORITY - Rome developed many ideas that we find fundamental today

Why Now: Evidence of Rome’s culture can be found in Europe, N.A., Asia, and Africa

Terms: Greco-Roman, Pompeii, Virgil, Tacitus, aqueduct

Setting the Stage:• Rome adapted Greek/Hellenistic cultures but also developed own identity that is still seen today

Main Idea: POWER AND AUTHORITY - Rome developed many ideas that we find fundamental today

Why Now: Evidence of Rome’s culture can be found in Europe, N.A., Asia, and Africa

Terms: Greco-Roman, Pompeii, Virgil, Tacitus, aqueduct

Setting the Stage:• Rome adapted Greek/Hellenistic cultures but also developed own identity that is still seen today

The Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization


• Hundreds of small territories all together and governed the same way

• 2nd c. BC Rome conquered Greece– Immediately admired– Mixing Greek, Hellenistic, Roman = Greco Roman culture (classical civ.)

• Didn’t copy but adapted to create own style

• Hundreds of small territories all together and governed the same way

• 2nd c. BC Rome conquered Greece– Immediately admired– Mixing Greek, Hellenistic, Roman = Greco Roman culture (classical civ.)

• Didn’t copy but adapted to create own style



Roman Fine Art• Learned sculpture from the Greeks

– Greece = beauty and idealization– Rome = realistic and practical

• Used for educational purposes• Developed new sculpture method = bas relief

– Images project from a flat background• Mosaics = pictures/designs using small pieces of

materials and arranging them on a surface• Excelled in art, frescoes = painted on wet plaster

– Many have been found in Pompeii (AD 79 Mt. Vesuvius erupted covering town in ash, killed 2,000 but perserved art and buildings

Roman Fine Art• Learned sculpture from the Greeks

– Greece = beauty and idealization– Rome = realistic and practical

• Used for educational purposes• Developed new sculpture method = bas relief

– Images project from a flat background• Mosaics = pictures/designs using small pieces of

materials and arranging them on a surface• Excelled in art, frescoes = painted on wet plaster

– Many have been found in Pompeii (AD 79 Mt. Vesuvius erupted covering town in ash, killed 2,000 but perserved art and buildings



Learning and Literature• Romans borrowed from Greek philosophy (Stoicism and Zeno)– Encouraged virtue, duty, moderation, and endurance

• Virgil spent 10 years writing his epic poem Aeneid (modeled after Homer)

Learning and Literature• Romans borrowed from Greek philosophy (Stoicism and Zeno)– Encouraged virtue, duty, moderation, and endurance

• Virgil spent 10 years writing his epic poem Aeneid (modeled after Homer)

The Legacy of RomeThe Legacy of Rome

• Still see presence of Rome in language, institutions, and thoughts

Latin Languages• Language of the Romans, remained after fall of Rome

• Official language of the Catholic church until 20th c.

• Developed Romance languages:– French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Romanian

• Still see presence of Rome in language, institutions, and thoughts

Latin Languages• Language of the Romans, remained after fall of Rome

• Official language of the Catholic church until 20th c.

• Developed Romance languages:– French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Romanian


Master Builders• Colosseum from colossus “gigantic”:

– Religious festivities held, as well as gladiator games• AD 72-81, can hold up to 50,000, made of stone and concrete, stands 157 ft high and 620 feet long, arena is 287 ft long and 180 ft wide

• Aqueducts: designed to bring water into cities and towns

• Thomas Jefferson: Roman rival in 18th c. DC to resemble Roman architecture

• Roads: Army built a massive network of roads through empire (still used in Middle Ages)

Master Builders• Colosseum from colossus “gigantic”:

– Religious festivities held, as well as gladiator games• AD 72-81, can hold up to 50,000, made of stone and concrete, stands 157 ft high and 620 feet long, arena is 287 ft long and 180 ft wide

• Aqueducts: designed to bring water into cities and towns

• Thomas Jefferson: Roman rival in 18th c. DC to resemble Roman architecture

• Roads: Army built a massive network of roads through empire (still used in Middle Ages)


Roman System of Law• Most lasting contribution• Law should be fair and apply equally• Law influenced by Stoic thinking:

– (1) common sense and (2) practical ideas

• Important principals:– Right to equal treatment under the law– Innocent till proven guilty– Burden of proof is on the accuser– Punishment for actions not thoughts– Unreasonable/unfair laws set aside

Roman System of Law• Most lasting contribution• Law should be fair and apply equally• Law influenced by Stoic thinking:

– (1) common sense and (2) practical ideas

• Important principals:– Right to equal treatment under the law– Innocent till proven guilty– Burden of proof is on the accuser– Punishment for actions not thoughts– Unreasonable/unfair laws set aside


Rome’s Enduring Influence:R.H. Barrow said “Rome never fell because it turned into something even greater, an IDEA, and achieved immortality”

Rome’s Enduring Influence:R.H. Barrow said “Rome never fell because it turned into something even greater, an IDEA, and achieved immortality”

rome and the roots of western civilization chapter 6 unit 5 notes chapter 6 unit 5 notes

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